Merkel speaks to Vergennes Lions

Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel spoke to members of the Vergennes Lions at the club’s monthly meeting this month. The Vergennes P.D., currently housed in the city's opera house (pictured), will move to a new location in 2014. (File photo)

Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel spoke to members of the Vergennes Lions at the club’s monthly meeting this month.

According to Lions Club President Shanon Atkins, “Local police work hard and take offenses personally, trying hard to solve whatever crime has taken place. Chief Merkel said that there are 10 officers—six full-time and four part-time—plus one dog in the department. He also said that a number of his officers are course instructors covering different aspects of police work.”

At the meeting, Atkins noted, Merkel reported that the Vergennes Police Department made 60 drug arrests with 22 young people in the community reported dead due to drug overdoses.

Merkel also told club members that Vermont is first in the nation for narcotic abuse. According to Atkins, “He said what is needed are more drug-treatment centers. The chief said his greatest desire is to see young people get off drugs.”

Merkel also told Lions Club members that he is “proud“ of the relationship that the department has with the Vermont State Police and the other area police departments.

“We all work together well and support each other when help is needed,” Merkel told attendees.

Atkins reported that the chief thanked Vergennes residents for their support at the meeting’s conclusion. He noted that the new, 4,611-square-feet police station, expected to be completed in March 2014, will be an asset for the community.

“The Chief described the new station’s rooms and discussed the security that the station will provide officers and the public. He added that the police department received nearly $300,000 worth of upgraded equipment through various grants at no cost to Vergennes. He also mentioned that the department will be getting a new police dog which will enable the current canine, Kato, to retire,” Atkins said.